Iran in Depth Tour 16 Days Available from: January 1, 2019 To December 31, 2019 Tour Destinations: Tehran to Tehran Duration: 16Days Tour styles: Style Cultural Historical Code: PIAT-R Tour route: Tehran Tabriz Zanjan Hamadan Kashan Abyaneh Natanz Isfahan Yazd Shiraz Tehran Tour highlights The UNESCO listed and lavish Golestan Palace of Tehran, The exotic rocky Kandovan Village, The UNESCO listed Sultaniyeh Dome known as one of the highest domes in the world, The historical fancy houses of Kashan, The glorious city of Persepolis. What is Included 15 nights accommodation at hotel Private vehicle Professional English speaking guide Arrival and departure airport transfers Visa service Tour accommodations: Nights stay in Hotel in Tehran, Nights stay in Hotel in Tabriz, Night stay in Hotel in Zanjan, Night stay in Hotel in Hamadan, Night stay in Hotel in Kashan, Night stay in Ecolodge, Nights stay in Hotel in Isfahan, Nights stay in Hotel in Yazd, Nights stay in Hotel in Shiraz Tour Meals: 15 Breakfasts, 2 Dinner Day 1: Arrival day Salaam and Welcome to Iran! Your ancient Iran tour will start from Tehran, the huge modern capital of Iran with 14 million residents. You will be transferred to your hotel in Tehran and meet your leader. Depending on your arrival time, you can visit some attractions of the city, like the Nature Bridge or the Carpet Museum. Optional Excursions Nature Bridge Carpet Museum Accommodation: Hotel in Tehran Day 2: Tehran to Tabriz This morning, explore Tehran with your local guide, which includes visiting the Golestan Palace and the National Museum of Iran. Then enjoy lunch in the bustling Tehran Bazaar and head to Mehrabad Airport for your domestic flight to Tabriz. Tabriz is one of the metropolises in northwestern Iran, where a big population of Iranian Turks, Azeri people, are living. This city is rich in terms of culture and history. Included Excursions Golestan Palace Tehran Grand Bazaar Iran National Museum Accommodation: Hotel in Tabriz Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 3: Tabriz and Kandovan city tour Drive to the amazing Kandovan village (55 km). This village houses man made cliff troglodyte residences, which are still inhabited by locals. Then drive back to Tabriz, visit Azerbaijan Museum and the magnificent Bazaar of Tabriz which is a UNESCO world heritage site. This bazaar is the biggest roofed bazaar in the world. Included Excursions Kandovan Village Azerbaijan Museum Tabriz Bazaar Accommodation: Hotel in Tabriz Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 4: Tabriz to Zanjan Travel to Zanjan (315 km), a historical city with a rich history, which was once the capital of Iran during the Ilkhanid Dynasty (founded by the Mongols). In Zanjan you’ll visit the Museum, the Bazaar, which is a masterpiece of Qajarid architecture and the Rakhtshooy Khaneh or the Museum of Anthropology. Rakhtshooy Khaneh is a very special building which was designed for the locals as a place for washing their clothes, especially during cold winters. Included Excursions Zanjan Museum Zanjan Bazaar Rakhtshooy Khaneh Accommodation: Hotel in Zanjan Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 5: Zanjan to Hamadan Drive to Hamadan via Soltanieh (260 km). The UNESCO protected Soltaniyeh Dome (the mausoleum of Oljaytu) is an octagonal building topped with a 50-meter-high turquoise dome, which is an outstanding example of Iranian architecture. On the way to Hamedan you’ll also visit one of the longest water caves in Iran, the Ali Sadr cave. Included Excursions Sultaniyeh Dome Ali Sadr Cave Accommodation: Hotel in Hamadan Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 6: Hamadan to Kashan You will spend the morning visiting the highlights of Hamadan. At Ganjnameh, view the two Achaemenid inscriptions by Darius the great and Xerxes. Both inscriptions are written in three languages: Old Persian, Neo Elamite and Neo Babylonian. Then visit the Tomb of Aveccina, the world famous Iranian polymath, and drive to Kashan via Qom. You will have a short stop in Qom to visit the Fatima Masoumeh Shrine and learn about religious architecture in Iran. Arrive in Kashan and enjoy taking a rest at your hotel. In the evening you can take a walk in the city's historical district. Included Excursions Ganj Nameh Tomb of Aveccina Fatima Masoumeh Holy Shrine Accommodation: Hotel in Kashan Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 7: Abyaneh Village Enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Kashan, including the Tabatabai and Borujerdi historical houses, which display eye-catching interior ornaments and courtyards and the magnificent Fin Garden, a world heritage UNESCO site. In the afternoon drive to Abyaneh Village, known as the red village of Iran located on the slopes of the Karkas Mountains. Abyaneh is filled with narrow lanes and houses with old architectural design, constructed from red clay, lattice windows and wooden doors. Enjoy taking a walk through this scenic village and meeting locals, wearing their traditional outfits. Tonight you will stay at a cozy village stay run by a local family and enjoy local homemade food. Included Excursions Tabatabai and Borujerdi houses Fin Garden Abyaneh Village walking tour Accommodation: Ecolodge Tour Meals: Breakfast Dinner Day 8: Natanz - Isfahan After having breakfast and enjoying a morning walk in the gardens of Abyaneh, drive to Isfahan via Natanz. Natanz is another historical village known as a green emerald in the barrenness. Visit the Natanz Jame Mosque and the Sassanid Fire Temple and then drive to Isfahan in the evening. Included Excursions Natanz walking tour Accommodation: Hotel in Isfahan Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 9: The Safavid day Tour the fantastic city of Isfahan, home to the Safavid masterpieces built during the 16th and 17th centuries, when this city was the capital of Iran. First, visit Naghsh-e Jahan Square (UNESCO heritage site), the world famous royal square of Isfahan and the buildings around it, including the royal Ali Qapu Palace, the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque and the Jame Imam Mosque. Then explore the handicrafts bazaar. After taking a rest at a traditional teahouse, visit Chehel Sotun Palace, which is another Persian garden protected by UNESCO. Included Excursions Naqsh-e Jahan Square Ali Qapu Palace Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque Jame Imam Mosque Chehel Sotun Palace Accommodation: Hotel in Isfahan Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 10: Isfahan City Tour Today visit the magnificent Masjed Jame of Isfahan, exhibiting the evolution of mosque architecture during 12 centuries, and also the first mosque with the four-Ivan layout. Travel to New Julfa, the Armenian quarter of the city and visit the charming Vank Church. Finish your Isfahan city tour by listening to some Iranian music and getting familiar with instruments in the Music Museum of Isfahan. Included Excursions Isfahan Jame Mosque Vank Church Isfahan Music Museum Accommodation: Hotel in Isfahan Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 11: Isfahan to Yazd Continue your road trip by driving towards Yazd, the ancient city located in the heart of desert in central Iran. On the way, stop at Naein and visit the Jame mosque, which is one of the oldest mosques in Iran. Then you will stop at Maybod, the 7000-year-old city with a magnificent architecture, known as the city of ceramics and pottery. After arriving in Yazd, check in at the hotel and enjoy taking a rest. Included Excursions Naein Jame Mosque Accommodation: Hotel in Yazd Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 12: Yazd city tour Today, explore the old city of Yazd, known as the center of the Zoroastrain religion. First visit the Tower of Silence and learn about its fascinating history, then visit the Fire Temple and witness the ancient fire, burning for more than 1500 years. Then we visit the Water Museum and discover how Qantas (underground water channels) were built and how the water was supplied to desert cities like Yazd. In the afternoon, walk through the old town where you can see old houses with Badgirs (wind towers). The old quarter of Yazd is protected as a UNESCO world heritage site. Included Excursions Tower of Silence Fire Temple Water Museum Yazd walking tour Accommodation: Hotel in Yazd Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 13: Yazd to Shiraz Hit the road in the morning and travel towards Shiraz. On the way, you’ll stop at Pasargadae to visit the tomb of Cyrus the great Achaemenid king, and the founder of the Persian Empire (UNESCO heritage site). In the afternoon you’ll arrive in Shiraz and you will have enough time for some sightseeing, including the Quran Gate and the Saadi Tomb. Included Excursions Pasargadae Quran Gate Saadi Tomb Accommodation: Hotel in Shiraz Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 14: The Achaemenid day Today you will explore the Achaemenid legacies. Drive 60 kilometers to reach Persepolis, an impressive collection of ceremonial palaces built by the Achaemenid kings (UNESCO heritage site). Also visit Necropolis, a collection of the rock tombs of Achaemenid kings and bass reliefs that were carved into rocks during the Sassanid Empire. This evening you are going to enjoy an Iranian home-cooked meal, with a Shirazi family and experience Iranian hospitality. Included Excursions Persepolis Necropolis Accommodation: Hotel in Shiraz Tour Meals: Breakfast Dinner Day 15: Shiraz to Tehran Shiraz was one of the important cultural cities of Iran during different dynasties and it was the capital of Iran during the Zand Dynasty, therefore, we know Shiraz as the city of lush gardens, lavish mansions and poetry. Early in the morning stand in the awe of the colorful tiles and the mysterious lights of the Nasir al Molk Mosque, shining through the stained glass windows, then walk to the Naranjestan Palace, one of the excellent samples of Persian houses built duringthe Qajar Dynasty. From here you can take a walk to the historical Vakil Bazaar, where you can find eye-catching carpets, colorful textiles, spices and herbs.